PhD The Early Process, Application and Interview advice

Hello,

PhD advise seems to be a common thread amongst the TSR postgrad community. This thread provides an insight into the early and later PhD application process.

Warning! This is not a definative guide by is aimed to be added to with other peoples advise.

Mod edit: this post has also been added to the TSR wiki, and expanded upon. It can be found at: PhD Courses: Tips and Advice for Making your Application. Many thanks to Epoch for his hard work!

Reasons for doing a PhD

Everyone has thier own reasons for doing a PhD but serveral things are considered a must

1) Commitment and an eye for detail
2) Intelligence (not merely high grades but a willingness to learn etc)
3) Independance
4)Aspiration
5) Passion for your subject

Keep these in your mind during the application process and interviews!

Applying for a PhD

First things first think about what you want to do, the subject your intrested in and make a list of ideas. A good person to seek early is your supervisor if still at uni. They should stear you in the right direction and give you sound advise. But be warned some academics an be out to curtail your plans before you start and are best ignored!

Ok now to start looking for your subject area. A great place to start is

www.findaphd.com

This list all current phd courses in all subjects and is a great place to see whos offering what. Then start looking for department specific websites this is where there are detailed PhD listings. Remember PhD details will be released at different times so contact the postgraduate admissions tutor.

Fear not! if your subject of choice is not there then contact the academic staff directly with your C.V and a letter detailing you situation and intrests. This is a good way to get first hand advise and also a way of testing the water some what regarding your credentials

At this point make sure you know the funding situation of the PhD as this will dictate much of the application process. You can be awarded a PhD place with no funding which is very difficult to pursue.

As a rule in house school scholarships are very hard to get so projects which are specifically funded are worth finding.

The C.V

Now you have found your course or have a contact in the department of your choosing sit down and get that C.V in order. For PhD places an academic C.V is often needed. This is a posh term for a detailed subject break down of your undergrad and postgrad (if any) degrees so far. Include any relevant experience relating to the project and do not be afriad to tailor a C.V for an individual PhD. It helps to be affilitated with a academic society as this shows that you are serious and implies that you are well read (May be!).
This keeps cropping up in discussions and I would like to help provide a guide line about what to expect as I have been through a few already!

Good C.V links
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/downloads/documents/prospects/IDD/Special%20Interests%20Series/CVs/2007/Academic%20CV%20updated%20version.pdf

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/humanresources/jobsintro/apply/cv/

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/careers/articles/1220/Academic_CV_Building_Where_to_Start

Coverng letter and Online applications

The covering letter may not be asked for as of the variety of submission processes that each university may imply. Make it concise why have you chose this PhD and what makes it suited to your skills. Do not try to answer the question just outline why you want this place and your qualifications and where you currently study/work.

Online applications are slightly more difficult in that more specific details need to be employed. However if you have a good C.V then it becomes easier to fill in. Personal statements for PhD need to be academically focused as well as social.

DONT forget your references

Remember to ask academic staff which know you and are not just associated with the subject. From this they want to know whether you are hard working, commited and shown intrest in the subject before. Pick your references carefully as they have possibly the most say in the early PhD selection process

The research proposal
This is where I need help and addition advise would be greatly accepted! I did not have write a long one alot of science subjects do not need one at all but arts most likely do. Consultation with the supervisior of the PhD is paramount in my experience.

Now you wait and hope for the dreaded interview.............

The Interview
This is not a definative guide and it would be good for other people to contrbute there experiences and opinions on the matter

The "formal" interview and Interview styles

The interview can take two different paths the first often an informal chat with the supervisior where the project is discussed generally

The second is usually a board of people usually 3 to 5 which ask questions. As far as I know Oxbridge is different in this respect they seem to have a series individual interviews.

What to expect

The first question in most interviews seems to be "Why do you want to do a PhD and what has brought you to this position so far ?"

What follows is a series of questions that is designed to test your knowlegde of the basic aspects of the programme. What it entails and what contibution is expected. The project supervisor will want to know specifics the other will want to see how you delt with the question.

During my interview they seemed to want to see my past work, e.g dissertation etc. but they would never ask directly. It is a good idea to have the work prepared and key places marked. Make sure you know the work in depth and be prepared to ask answer any questions on it.

Usually if the PhD involves a studentship or is funded by an outside body they will have a representative. They will assess how you present youself and will probably want to hear how the project is likely to benefit the company or the University.

The interview panel want you to express a wider knowledge. It is key you have read reccomended references and understood them as it will just help your case. Also find out what is cutting edge at the moment and bring with you or make a typed sheet with problems you might want to tackle during the PhD

Remember that you do not want to answer the PhD title but you are aware of lines of evidence that you might want to pursue.

Presentations

Be confident and speak fluently. Made the audience know you are confident (even though you might not feel like it)

Focus on your research unless asked not to and relate this to the project. Essentially what can you bring to the table?

Have it practiced and timed. Draw together on a concluding slide and expect questions

You and yourself!

At the interview they want to see that your motivated to do the project and prepared.

Be confident and don't be afriad to say "I don't know".

Wear something smart. I know some places are not to fussy but it never harmed any one to look smart on interview

Try not to be nervous!

Again each institution has its own style and i would like to open a thread to disscuss the possiblities.

!!!!Sorry about the poor spelling!!!!

Reply 580

Exulted

13

Throughout the years it’s been maybe my 12th or 13th PhD application. Sigh 😕 And I feel uneasy to constantly bother my former professors

Reply 581

Exulted

13

Original post

by mnot

It’s part of the process, you could always reach out to knew ones although presumably they are just sending the same letter out to new institutions so now it is written it isn’t too much effort.

Yes, but would they think that possibly I’m a weak prospective applicant and they wouldn’t want to write a recommendation letter? It’s quite difficult to encourage then to write a recommendation letter on my behalf. And I don’t have any other referees anymore 😕

Reply 582

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post

by Exulted

Yes, but would they think that possibly I’m a weak prospective applicant and they wouldn’t want to write a recommendation letter? It’s quite difficult to encourage then to write a recommendation letter on my behalf. And I don’t have any other referees anymore 😕

Do you have a seasoned academic researcher who can be a mentor, someone (on the other side of PhD applications i.e. professors) you can sit down with and get them to go through your cv, applications & research proposal and help find the strong & weak points in it. If not id recommend trying to find one.

Reply 583

Mxr312

9

Original post

by Exulted

Hey, I received yet another rejection letter for a PhD program. I’m quite sad and feel really uneasy as my referees sent out recommendation letters on my behalf. Yet, I again failed to secure a place at a university. I don’t know even how I should notify them about my unsuccesful application and whether I should. Don’t know what I should do next. I just lost count of my unsuccessful applications.

I feel you buddy. I still get the rejections from the programs I had applied to. It's not really our intelligence or hard work that differentiates doctoral aspirants from other students. It's our ability to be resilient, taking it on the chin and just find enough to keep going. Just keep pushing whatever little you have left in the tank and it will happen. If there's any particular area that you want help with, I'd be very happy to assist.

PS I had applied to almost 70 programs and still might if I don't get an ATAS.

Reply 584

Mxr312

9

Original post

by chile1234

Hello, just curious: is your tuition waived or did the CDT cover the overseas fees? I heard that research councils typically only cover the home rate.

Hey

So I did get an unconditional offer letter along with a letter of funding. The stipend I'm receiving is that given to any home student however the university and the CDT will take care of any fees applicable and they have told me I have nothing to worry about on that front.
I have successfully moved from worrying about securing funding to worrying about getting an ATAS certificate. Got to love the grind haha

Reply 585

chile1234

9

Original post

by Mxr312

Hey

So I did get an unconditional offer letter along with a letter of funding. The stipend I'm receiving is that given to any home student however the university and the CDT will take care of any fees applicable and they have told me I have nothing to worry about on that front.
I have successfully moved from worrying about securing funding to worrying about getting an ATAS certificate. Got to love the grind haha

Thanks for the update!

Reply 586

Exulted

13

As for me, I have 3 offers to study for a master's, but all of them require me to fund my education, which I simply wouldn’t be able to do. I applied to American universities as a foreign student. So basically, my education would cost me more than 50K USD, which I can’t afford. Initially, I thought that their universities provided full funding at the master's level, but they offered me a small amount of scholarship, which covers only about 10% of full tuition costs.

So, I’m writing here out of frustration, as I wouldn’t be able to start my education this Autumn. And I don’t know what to do.

Reply 587

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post

by Exulted

As for me, I have 3 offers to study for a master's, but all of them require me to fund my education, which I simply wouldn’t be able to do. I applied to American universities as a foreign student. So basically, my education would cost me more than 50K USD, which I can’t afford. Initially, I thought that their universities provided full funding at the master's level, but they offered me a small amount of scholarship, which covers only about 10% of full tuition costs.

So, I’m writing here out of frustration, as I wouldn’t be able to start my education this Autumn. And I don’t know what to do.

This is pretty normal.

Funding is really an investment, they award it to students who are likely going to build the universities reputation (in other words they want output, most obviously papers). Frankly it’s quite rare for masters students to have that much output, due to having less experience & time, as such funding is typically channelled to PhDs.

Research students generally take several months to get up to speed of the demands of full time researchers, so you can imagine how much more it makes sense making one: 4 year investment rather then 4 1–year investments.

Reply 588

Mxr312

9

Original post

by Exulted

As for me, I have 3 offers to study for a master's, but all of them require me to fund my education, which I simply wouldn’t be able to do. I applied to American universities as a foreign student. So basically, my education would cost me more than 50K USD, which I can’t afford. Initially, I thought that their universities provided full funding at the master's level, but they offered me a small amount of scholarship, which covers only about 10% of full tuition costs.

So, I’m writing here out of frustration, as I wouldn’t be able to start my education this Autumn. And I don’t know what to do.

I'm sorry things turned out that way. Have you thought about applying to Germany for a Master's?

Reply 589

Exulted

13

Original post

by Mxr312

I'm sorry things turned out that way. Have you thought about applying to Germany for a Master's?

No, I haven’t. I know that most of their universities don’t have any tuition fees but still you have to think about living expenses.

Reply 590

Exulted

13

On top of that, in my opinion, it’s no good to take out an educational loan. I mostly relied on university funding, but at the master's level, especially in America, it’s basically non-existent.

I also applied for a PhD in America, but my application was rejected. I’m not sure whether it would be wise to apply again this time around for the 2024 academic year.

Reply 591

jackien1

19

Original post

by Exulted

On top of that, in my opinion, it’s no good to take out an educational loan. I mostly relied on university funding, but at the master's level, especially in America, it’s basically non-existent.

I also applied for a PhD in America, but my application was rejected. I’m not sure whether it would be wise to apply again this time around for the 2024 academic year.

What have you been doing over the years while getting these rejections? Has your application not gotten stronger and stronger with each passing year?

Reply 592

Exulted

13

Original post

by jackien1

What have you been doing over the years while getting these rejections? Has your application not gotten stronger and stronger with each passing year?

I have been working mostly at different organizations. On top of that, I got my bachelor’s degree 15 years ago and my master’s degree 12 years ago. I initially wanted to get a PhD degree right after I got my master’s degree, but got rejections. Then one university offered me a place but no funding. And I had no other choice but to not accept it. And I worked in between all of those applications. And last year I decided to get a master’s degree in finance when I quit my previous job and was unemployed for some time. And I got offers with small scholarships that covered only about 8% of all tuition and living costs. Before applying, I thought that universities would offer full-funded scholarships. Oh boy, I was mistaken. So, I decided to apply for a PhD in finance, but also got a rejection.
My undergraduate GPA was about 3.15 out of 4.0.
And I graduated with merit in my postgraduate degree.

I currently have offers for a master’s degree, but I have no money to afford it.

At one point, I thought about starting a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for my education. But I didn’t want to shout it everywhere. I just wanted to see whether it was workable or not. And it wasn’t. Although I've only posted a few times about it. And that’s it.

So, in the end I won’t start my master’s degree this Autumn 2023.

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 593

BlueJellyfish

1

Is it common for universities to have open days/visits for PhD applications or is that something you should organise with the department instead? Sorry, new to looking at PhD opportunities!

Reply 594

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post

by BlueJellyfish

Is it common for universities to have open days/visits for PhD applications or is that something you should organise with the department instead? Sorry, new to looking at PhD opportunities!

It’s quite hard to do this for PhDs although lots of universities & faculties will have stands and stalls about research at open days or careers fairs. If you want to discuss PhD opportunities you can search unis webs for either research groups or supervisors and see if they are seeking new students or have advertised studentships, if they are & you are interested, reach out to the academic (with your cv attached) & ask for a call/chat about potential research opportunities. If an initial chat goes well you can likely ask or be invited to visit the lab/research group.

Lots of PhD are also advertised on linkedin.

Reply 595

BlueJellyfish

1

Original post

by mnot

It’s quite hard to do this for PhDs although lots of universities & faculties will have stands and stalls about research at open days or careers fairs. If you want to discuss PhD opportunities you can search unis webs for either research groups or supervisors and see if they are seeking new students or have advertised studentships, if they are & you are interested, reach out to the academic (with your cv attached) & ask for a call/chat about potential research opportunities. If an initial chat goes well you can likely ask or be invited to visit the lab/research group.

Lots of PhD are also advertised on linkedin.

Thank you, that's very helpful!

Reply 596

Exulted

13

Will you take an educational loan to finance your Master’s degree? Asking cause I’m considering but don’t know whether that would be wise. And want to know your experiences

Reply 597

ethan_smith

6

For those of you working on your PhD applications, feel free to DM for some really useful support materials :smile:

Reply 598

University of Kent

Official Rep

15

Original post

by BlueJellyfish

Is it common for universities to have open days/visits for PhD applications or is that something you should organise with the department instead? Sorry, new to looking at PhD opportunities!

Hey @BlueJellyfish

Some universities will offer general open days or specific postgraduate open days which will be more catered to those interested in PhD courses. The University of Kent, for example, offers postgraduate open days where the information provided will specifically cater to those interested in MSc/PhD courses and provide more specialist information. You will be able to find more information about other universities on their websites :smile:

For the University of Kent, you can check back for information about future postgraduate open days here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/visit/postgraduate-events
Or general open day information & virtual tours/experiences here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/visit/open-days

As @mnot stated, you can also contact your prospective supervisors from the university you are interested in/the school of study you are interested in for further information.

Hope this helps a little bit!

Natalie :smile:

- University of Kent Student Rep

Reply 599

MyDearWatson

1

I have just recently decided to apply for PhD study, but I am worried about study time and the ability to work alongside it.
Anyone who has, or is studying their PhD (full time), do you have time for part time work in-between? Or is the research simply too
time consuming to work whilst studying a PhD full time?

I have my BA, and my MA, so I am looking forward to the challenge of a PhD (If I get the chance!)
Can I also ask if there are usually chances to meet other PhD students whilst studying?
The supervisor just said the project would be done alone, and I just wonder if it is likely I will meet others studying PhD's...

PhD The Early Process, Application and Interview advice

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